Thursday, December 6, 2018

Incredible US Move: China Blows Up With Justifiable Outrage

Well if there was anything that China actually planned to deliver on, as part of the Buenos Aries dinner trade "deal," forget about it now.Huawei Technologies Co.’s chief financial officer (the daughter of the founder!) was arrested in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada at the request of the United States over potential violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran, provoking outrage from China, according to multiple news services.Wanzhou Meng, also a deputy chairwoman, faces extradition to the U.S., according to a Canada Justice Department spokesman. A bail hearing has been set for Friday.According to Bloomberg, news of Meng’s arrest provoked an immediate protest from the Chinese embassy in Canada, demanding the U.S. and Canada “rectify wrongdoings” and free Meng.The CFO’s arrest could be regarded back home as an attack on China’s foremost corporate champions, notes Bloomberg.Huawei, in a statement, said the arrest was made on behalf of the U.S. so Meng could be extradited to “face unspecified charges” in the Eastern District of New York.Naturally, it is difficult to see this arrest as anything but positively bizarre, especially at a time when the world is condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while President Trump is playing footsie with him. And at a time when Trump is trying to close a trade deal with China.It must be noted that Huawei is a Chinese-based global operator and that the arrest is a direct attack on a Chinese corporation for dealings it is alleged to have had with a foreign country (Iran). This should have nothing to do with the U.S.This is not America first. This is the Empire first.

“The Chinese side has lodged stern representations with the U.S. and Canadian side, urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal liberty of Ms. Meng Wanzhou,” the Chinese embassy on Otowa said in a statement. “We will closely follow the development of the issue and take all measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.”

Chinese Ambassador to Canada Lu Shaye and four high-ranking members of the National People’s Congress also canceled an appearance before the Canadian House of Commons foreign affairs committee scheduled for Thursday, according to The Globe and Mail.

“This is a really big deal. Ms. Meng is by birth and position a member of China’s corporate royalty,” David Mulroney, a former Canadian ambassador to China, is quoted by TGM as having said.

According to TGM, Meng, 46, who also goes by the name Sabrina, was appointed CFO of Huawei in 2011 and is also one of four deputy chairs. She appears to be being groomed for the top job at Shenzhen-based Huawei, which is now the world’s second-largest maker of telecommunications equipment. Her father was a former engineer in the People’s Liberation Army.

Is it possible Trump thinks he can basically kidnap Meng and hold her as a hostage as part of trade negotiations with China? As nutty as this sounds, it is the only thing that even makes a little nutball sense.-RW